The anti-apoptotic effect of IGF-1 on tissue resident stem cells is mediated via PI3-kinase dependent secreted frizzled related protein 2 (Sfrp2) release.

Previous studies suggest that IGF-1 may be used as an adjuvant to stem cell transfer in order to improve cell engraftment in ischemic tissue. In the current study, we investigated the effect of IGF-1 on serum deprivation and hypoxia induced stem cell apoptosis and the possible mechanisms involved. Exposure of adipose tissue derived stem cells (ASCs) to serum deprivation and hypoxia resulted in significant apoptosis in ASC which is partially prevented by IGF-1.

Intracoronary administration of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells improves left ventricular function, perfusion, and remodelling after acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: This study was designed to assess whether intracoronary application of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) compared with bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) and control could improve cardiac function after 30 days in a porcine acute myocardial infarction/reperfusion model.

Methods And Results: An acute transmural porcine myocardial infarction was induced by inflating an angioplasty balloon for 180 min in the mid-left anterior descending artery. Two million cultured autologous stem cells were intracoronary injected through the central lumen of the inflated balloon catheter.

The cardioprotective effect of mesenchymal stem cells is mediated by IGF-I and VEGF.

Emerging evidence suggests that adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) can be used for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects have not been clearly defined. In this study cytokines released by ASCs were detected by ELISA and pro-angiogenic effects were assessed by tube formation assay.

VEGF receptor Flk-1 plays an important role in c-kit expression in adipose tissue derived stem cells.

It is known that c-kit(+) cells are increased in heart after infarction. The exact origins of the cardiac c-kit(+) cells remain to be determined. We asked whether adipose tissue could be a potential source of c-kit(+) cells.

VEGF is critical for spontaneous differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

Cardiomyocyte regeneration is limited in adult life and is not sufficient to compensate for cell loss with myocardial infarction. Hence, the identification of a useful source of cardiomyocyte progenitors is of great interest for possible use in regenerative therapy. In this study, we isolated stem cells derived from human subcutaneous adipose tissue.